With the increase in pollution, UV exposure and stress, simply using skincare products may not be enough to achieve clear, glowing skin. This is exactly where skin treatments such as botox, derma fillers and mesotherapy come in. One such skin treatment to have gained immense popularity among skincare buffs is skin boosters. This skin treatment is perfect for anyone having dull, dehydrated and lifeless looking skin. Focussed on delivering instant hydration using non-invasive methods and minimal downtime, this promising in-clinic skin treatment will definitely give you the festive glow of your dreams. To give you a clearer idea of what the skin booster treatment is all about, we contacted Dr Niketa Sonavane, Dermatologist and founder of Ambrosia Aesthetics, Mumbai to answer every question you may have regarding the treatment. BB: What are skin boosters? Dr Niketa: Skin Boosters are micro-injections of hyaluronic acid injected in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural moisturising factor found in the skin, muscle and joints. It has the ability to draw 1000x its own weight in water and retain the water molecules within itself. This ensures deep and natural hydration of the skin from within. Skin boosters are injected in the papillary dermis where they activate the fibroblast cells. This fibroblast stimulation promotes new collagen and elastin formation, which in turn results is smooth, plump, glowing and healthy-looking skin. You can have this skin rejuvenation treatment on your face, neck, decollate and hands for improved hydration, texture and glow. BB: How is it different from dermal fillers? Dr Niketa: Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers have cross-linking bonds that make them stiffer and clumpier. When they are injected into the skin, they give a lifting and volumising effect. Therefore, they are used to enhance the shape of the lips, cheeks and other areas of the face. Skin boosters on the other hand are non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid. They cannot be used to volumise or reshape the face. Instead, they are injected into the skin to hydrate and improve skin quality. Think of them as an 'injectable' moisturiser-serum combo that can hydrate and repair your skin from within. BB: What are the main benefits of skin boosters? Dr Niketa: Skin boosters use hyaluronic acid that is clinically proven to stimulate collagen and increase elastin that reduces due to ageing and environmental damage. With the production of new collagen and elastin, you get firm and youthful skin. Fine lines, pores and wrinkles are visibly reduced within weeks of your session. Skin booster injections also change the way light bounces off your skin. This gives you an even tone complexion and reduces skin pigmentation. If you have mature or dehydrated skin, then hyaluronic acid boosters will help to hold water in the skin making it look dewy and glowy from within. Thus, skin boosters are a complete skin rejuvenating treatment that reduces fine lines, improves skin tone, hydrates the skin and makes the skin look fresh and glowing. BB: Can anyone with any skin type go in for these treatments? Dr Niketa: Skin boosters are safe for all ages and skin types. While they are most ideal for dry and mature skin types, the younger generation loves skin boosters for the dewy and glowing look it provides. The treatment is safe for everyone, but diabetics will need to have the treatment under antibiotic cover to prevent infection. And hypertensive people will need to be off their aspirin for a week before the treatment in order to avoid bruising. BB: Can you tell us in brief about the procedure? Dr Niketa: For a full-face treatment, we divide the face into sections. The forehead and temples, each cheek and perioral. Each section requires 1 ml of skin booster. The neck is divided into the right and left half, each of which receives 1 ml. Several micro-droplets of the booster are then injected into the upper layer of the dermis. There may be a mosquito-bitten appearance for an hour, after which the skin looks and feels normal. Positive effects and improvement in the skin may be noted as early as the next day, but full improvement takes 2-3 weeks. **BB: Is the process painful? ** Dr Niketa: Prior to your procedure, we apply a topical numbing cream which makes the treatment virtually painless. After the procedure, you may feel slightly sore for a day. But there is no downtime and the procedure does not affect your daily routine in any way. BB: What are the pre and post care that one should follow to for best results? **Dr Niketa: **
